Trace-fastener.



J. F. HARRIS.

TRACE PASTENER.

APPLIOAIIONFILED FEB. 10, 1906.

W1 TNESSES:

PATENTED SEPT. 11, 1906.

[NVE/VTOR.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN FOSTER HARRIS, OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA.

TRACE-FASTENER- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1906.

Application filed February 10, 1906- Serial No. 300,469.

tion and increase the efficiency and utility of devices of this character.

With these and other obj ectsin view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

I11 the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, is illustrated the preferred form of the embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation. i i

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a detail of a portion of the head member of the device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device applied. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modification in the construction of the head member of the device.

One of the improved devices is attached to each end of the whiffletree; but as they are exactly alike one only is shown. The improved device comprises a ferrule 10, adapted to be attached to the whiffletree at the ends, a portion of the latter being shown at 11. The outer end of the ferrule 10 is provided with a socket 12, preferably threaded, in which a tubular stock 13 is detachably secured, as by being threaded therein, the outer end of the stock having a transverse recess or socket for receiving the trace to be held, the recess or socket formed by an inner or base plate 14 upon the stock 13, ends 15 16 extending from the plate 14, and an outer plate 17, attached to the ends 15 16 and spaced from the plate 14 and corresponding thereto. The ends 15 16 may be in the form of studs riveted into the members 14 17 as in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or integral with the plates, as in Fig. 4, as may be preferred.

Slidably disposed in the stock .13 is a bolt or pin 18, extending through the plate 14 and seated at the outer end in a socket 19 in the plate 17. The stock 13 is provided with longitudinal slots 20 21, through which a pin 22 extends and also through the bolt 18. Slidably disposed upon the stock 13 is a sleeve 23, in which the ends of the pin 22 are secured. The sleeve 23 is provided with a flange 24 to assist the fingers of the operator in actuating the collar 23. The rear or inner end of the tubular stock 13 is provided with a plug 25, and bearing between this plug and the pin 22 is a spring 26, the force of the spring thus maintaining the pin yieldably in its outward position and in engagement with the socket 19 in the plate 17. noted, is formed with inclined side walls, so that the certainty of the seating of the pin is assured.

The trace (represented at 27) is inserted between the plates 14 17 and also between the ends 15 16, with the pin passing through an aperture therein. When the trace is to be released, the sleeve 23 is forced inwardly or toward the body of the whiflietree, carrying the pins 18 and 22 with it against the spring 26 and Withdrawing the bolt 18 into the plate 14, and the trace is coupled to the fastener in the same manner. Attached to the ferrule 10, preferably by threading thereon, is a guard member 28, extending over the inner end of the sleeve 23 and forming a dust and mud guard thereto.

The device is simple in construction, strong and durable, can'be readily applied to any of the various forms and sizes of whifile trees, and without weakening the same.

The plates 14 17 and the ends 15 16, it is obvious, can be readily adapted to receive any size or form of trace or to traces having any of the various terminal appliances.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a whiffletree-fastener, a ferrule adapted to be attached at one end to a whifiietree and with a socket at the other end, a tubular stock detachably connected in said socket and leaving a recess at the outer end disposed transversely thereof, a spring-pressed bolt operating in said stock and extending transversely of said recess and adapted to support the trace therein, and means for withdrawing said bolt.

2. In a whiffletree-fastener, a tubular stock having means at one end for attachment to a whiffletree and with a trace-receiving recess at the other end and intermediate longitudinal slots, a spring-pressed bolt disposed within said tubular member and provided with a The socket 19, it will betransverse pin extending through said slots,

and a sleeve slidable upon said stock and connected to said pin and provided With an intermediate flange.

3. In a Whiflletree-fastener, a ferrule adapted to be attached at one end to a whiflletree and with a socket at the other end, a tubular stock detachably connected in said socket and having a base-plate disposed transversely of the outer end, spaced studs extending from the base-plate, an outer plate connected to the free ends of the studs and spaced from the base-plate and provided With an intermediate socket, a bolt spring pressed and operating in said stock and extending into the socket in said outer plate and means for Withdrawing said bolt.

4. In a Whiflletree-fastener, a ferrule adapted to be attached at one end to a Whiffletree and With a socket at the other end, a tubular stock detachably connected in said socket and With intermediate transverse slots and a base-plate disposed transversely of the outer end, spaced studs extending from the baseplate, an outer plate connected to the free end of the studs and spaced from the baseplate and provided With an intermediate socket, a spring-pressed bolt operating in said stock and seating in the socket in said outer plate when projected, a pin in said bolt and extending through said slots, and a sleeve slidable upon said stock and connected to said pih.

. 5. In a Whifiletree-fastener, a ferrule adapted to be attached at one end to a Whifiletree and With a socket at the other end, a tubular stock detachably connected in said socket and having intermediate transverse slots and a recess at the outer end disposed trans-- versely thereof, a spring-pressed bolt operating in said stock and extending transversely of said recess and supporting the trace therein, a pin in said bolt and extending through said slots, a sleeve slidable upon said stock and connected to said pin, and a guard-sleeve attached to said ferrule and extending over 

